Dr. Ray Bromley
Syllabus for MACROEconomics
Spring 2001
ECN111-1582 Phoenix College ECN111-MWF 10
Important Notice
Please keep this syllabus and examine it thoroughly and frequently. It
explains what you can expect throughout the term and what will be expected of
you. In order to remain in this course, you must agree to read this syllabus,
and you must accept all of the quiz, exam, point, grade and other policies set
forth in this syllabus. Any changes which circumstances require will be announced
in class (and will apply to all students). Otherwise, no exceptions to these
policies will be made or discussed. Sorry if you like to be a whiny cry-baby,
but this pretty much means you'll have to find another hobby. If there is anything
you do not understand, feel free to ask me or call me (see the Help from the
Instructor section on page 6 to find out how to reach me). Please also let me
know if you have special needs or problems (including problems writing or taking
quizzes with a time limit); we can usually make arrangements to fit such situations.
What is economics?
Most people think economics is about making money. Unfortunately, my bank balance
is proof that this isn't quite correct. Economics is the study of decisions
and choices. It is concerned with how people make choices, how they can avoid
mistakes, and what the results of their choices will be. It involves understanding
and predicting behavior and events when choices are made. Macroeconomics (ECN111,
the course you are in) deals with decisions made on a big scale; it deals a
bit with the decisions individuals, families, and businesses make every day,
but also deals with decisions of governments and countries. The overall goal
of this class is to get you to the point where you understand the basic concepts
and tools of macroeconomics enough that you can apply those tools to a variety
of situations and problems on your own. This (it is hoped) will help you to
understand how you are affected by things the government might do, so you can
alter your own decisions accordingly. Also, we might give you some ability to
make better decisions in general, or predict the choices and consequences of
the choices of other people.
What will we be doing in this class?
The main thing we will do in the class is have more fun than
you would ever think possible as we explore the wonders of economics. To keep
the fun going, we will have frequent (almost weekly) short multiple choice quizzes,
three fairly small writing assignments, and a multiple choice final examination.
You will be expected to come to class regularly (after all, you won't want to
miss the fun)and keep up with the assigned readings in the magnificent text
book (also fun, but in printed form). Also, you can add to the fun by doing
extra credit if you want!! The details about all of this are contained later
in this splendid document.
Do I have to buy or get anything for this class?
Well, it
will probably be best if you make a few "investments" before the semester
gets too far along. The things you should have (in addition to a notebook, pen
and pencil) are listed below.
Required:
(1) The text for this course, Introduction to Economics: The Wealth
and Poverty of Nations by Gwartney and Stroup,
(2) Scantron 882ES forms; you will need twelve (12) of these green and
white beauties for the quizzes and the final exam,
(3) 3x5 inch index cards; these will be used for keeping attendance and
for awarding extra credit. You might want to buy a package of 100 (or more,
if you think you will be getting lots of extra credit).
Optional,
but recommended:
It would be a good idea to get a library card for the College library,
since study aids will be placed on reserve there. Also, you might consider getting
access to the Open Computer Lab (in the Library), especially if you do
not have a computer of your own. Information about these are found on page 6
of this syllabus. Further, you may wish to obtain a simple (non-graphing, non-programmable)
calculator for use during quizzes.
How will we spend our time?
Economics
requires applying some basic ideas to many different situations. Try to think
about these ideas as being tools. Fortunately, you can't cut yourself or pound
your thumb with them, but you can learn how to use them to take things apart or
put things together. As with other tools, like screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches,
and manure spreaders, you get the tool, learn about how it is used (by seeing
a demonstration or reading the instructions), and then (if you want to get good
at it) practice. Similarly, there are three stages in learning economics:
(1) Get the tools.
Getting each of the "tools of economic analysis" involves understanding
the basic concept or concepts. These tool concepts are covered in the textbook
and the Terms and Tools handout. These include ideas that make it especially
easy to understand the choices people make. Since the text lays the foundation
of everything else we will do, you are responsible for reading the passages
in the textbook, according to the schedule on the last page of this syllabus.
You should also review the Tools and Terms handout before coming to class.
You don't have to understand everything in the book right away, but come to
class prepared with questions about ideas or theories that you don't grasp.To
give you encouragement to keep up with the reading, there will be twenty unannounced
pop quizzes on the reading throughout the semester.
(2) Learn how to
use the tools. As with all tools, the economic tools we will study will only
be useful to us if we know how to use them skillfully while wearing safety goggles.
This is why our class time together is going very important (although I'm
sure we will have a ton of fun in class, fun is not our sole objective).
In class, we will (1) make sure you understand the tools, as they are explained
in the textbook, and (2) get you started on using the tools, the practical value
of which will astound you and everyone you come in contact with. In fact, your
tools will make you so popular that Britney Spears and 'NSync will ask you for
your autograph.
Because the class is the main opportunity for you to see how the tools are used,
you should take notes during classroom presentations and review them as soon
after class as you can. Your instinct is correct if you think that taking
notes will be easier if you attend class. If you can't, you should obtain notes
from a classmate, or send a super intelligent robot to class in your place. Also,
be sure to obtain any handouts given out in class. Extra copies of handouts will
generally be available outside my office door (A137), on the internet, or by request
if I remember to carry extras around with me.
(3) Practice using
the tools. This is the hardest part for most people. The only way to build
competence with the tools of economics is to practice with them outside of
class. You can practice using the tools on ready-made study questions, such
as those in the Study Guide sections of the textbook. These may be found
in the back of each chapter, and most are answered in the back of the text. There
will be additional multiple choice questions for each chapter placed on reserve
in the library and on the internet (instructions for obtaining these
are found on page 6). You are expected to review these questions, but you do not
have to turn them in. Instead, the incentive for doing the practice questions
is that quizzes will be based entirely upon the textbook study guide and library/internet
study questions. Also, the three Application Essay Writing Assignments
will allow you to practice using the tools.
Inquiries you have about any essays, study questions or readings will be welcome
in class, in office hours, or over the telephone. Please feel free to bring them
up, so we can all learn more efficiently. This may sound like a lot of work, but
thousands of people have done it and survived. So can you!!! The hard work will
pay off when the celebrity of your choice drools over you and your incredible
skill.
What about quizzes, essays, and
other fun?
"Credit
Cards"
At least twenty times during the semester, you will be given a brief pop quiz
on the reading in the textbook. Each pop quiz will consist of one question covering
the terms defined in the section of the book you were asked to read or the section
of the tools and terms handout dealing with that chapter. You will turn in your
answer to the pop quiz question on a 3-inch-by-5-inch index card, called a "credit
card". The purpose for using up all of these perfectly good recipe cards
is to give you credit for attendance and for keeping up on the reading. Each credit
card is worth ten points. No make up credit cards will be given, but only the
best fifteen pop quizzes will be counted in calculating your grade. If you miss
a few, don’t panic, but try to catch up in the reading (or improve your attendance)
as soon as possible.
Multiple-Choice Quizzes
There will be twelve short quizzes given during the semester. Each will consist
of ten multiple-choice questions. Each question is worth five points, so each
quiz is worth 50 points. Quizzes will take place at the start of every Friday
class meeting beginning January 26 (except Feb. 9, March 23, and May 11).
You will be allowed 20 minutes to take each quiz, and the quizzes will be reviewed
in class immediately after they are taken. As you will know your quiz score right
after taking the quiz, you can keep track of your grade in the class by keeping
a record of your quiz scores as the term progresses.
You will need a Scantron 882ES form for each quiz after the first. Please be sure
to get these exact forms (they are printed in blue-green or teal). Scantron forms
and pencils will NOT be provided; they are available at the bookstore and at the
Textbook Source.
The first quiz is just for practice. It will be given Jan. 26, and a Scantron
form will be given to you for use on this quiz only. You will automatically get
50 points (full credit) for this quiz.
Only the highest ten of the twelve quizzes will be counted towards your final
grade, so you can miss or mess up on two quizzes without your grade being affected
much.
Quiz questions will be based on the questions and problems in the back of each
chapter in your book, as well as questions that will be placed on reserve in the
library. The library questions will also be available on the internet. Actual
quiz questions may vary from those found in the book or library/internet. Specifically,
names, numbers and other details may be different, as well as the order of answers.
Don't just memorize the answers to these problems, learn how to figure out the
answers on your own.
Application Essays
In the course of the semester, you will be asked to write two short essays
in which you apply economics tool to a problem or situation. Some of the situations
will come from your own life and experiences, and some will come from current
events and case studies. You will be given lists of topics to choose from for
each of the two essays. Once you have selected a topic, there will be a series
of questions you must answer in your essay in order to get full credit. Each essay
is worth 50 points, and will probably end up being 1-3 pages.
If you do not get full credit on an essay, you will be allowed to rewrite it.
In fact, you can rewrite both essays, as many times as you want, as long as you
turn in the original essays and the rewrites on time.
The topics for each essay will be handed out about three weeks before the essay
due date. The due dates are:
Essay 1 Essay 2
February 26 April 16
Extra Credit Cards
At irregular intervals, you may be asked to work on questions
or problems in class which involve past readings or recent class discussions.
These extra credit pop quizzes are called "Extra Credit Cards,"
and will require that you provide answers on 3x5-inch index cards. You must come
to class with a supply of these cards if you wish to earn these extra credit points.
Only students who correctly answer these questions in class will earn extra credit.
Also, students may be awarded extra credit and/or "valuable prizes"
if they participate in class discussions. No other kind of extra credit will be
made available.
Final Examination
The Final Examination is scheduled for May 16 at 10:00 am. You will need a
SCANTRON 882 ES form for the final. No early finals will be given. A make-up final
will be given only if proof is offered of an unanticipated illness or serious
emergency at the time of the exam.
The Final Examination will be a cumulative, comprehensive multiple choice exam,
consisting of fifty questions. The questions will be similar to those on the
quizzes. As is the case with the quizzes, the final will be based on the questions
and problems in the book, as well as the questions on reserve in the library.
Each question on the final is worth five points, so the final is worth 250 points,
or the equivalent of five quizzes.
In the event that you do very well on the final, the final will be used to
determine your entire grade. Specifically, if the percentage of correct answers
you give on the final is greater than the percentage of points you have earned
in the class (based on the point calculations described below in the Grades section),
then the final alone will be used to determine your grade using the percentages
listed in the Grades section.
What about grades?
Yes, there will be grades given out at the end of the semester, just like
in less fun-filled, thrill-packed courses. I know that we will all be so buoyed
by the excitement of mastering the tools of economics that grades will be of little
importance. Believe me, when Hollywood superstars, leggy supermodels (or hunks,
if you prefer), and billionaires start calling you to see if you are available
to party with them, you'll realize how much more important the eonomics knowledge
is than the grade. However, if you're curious, grades for the course will consist
of the following:
Ten highest Multiple-choice
Quiz scores (50 points each) 500 points possible
Two Application Essays (50 points each) 100 points possible
Fifteen highest Credit Cards (pop quizzes, 10 points each) 150 points possible
Final Examination 250 points possible
TOTAL possible 1000 points possible
Of course, extra credit
points will be added in to your own total, so it is actually possible for you
to get more than 1000 points!
Remember also that the final examination score will be used to determine your
entire course grade if it helps you to do so. If so, the final and only the final
will count (no extra credit will be added on), and the percentages below will
apply in determining your grade.
Your grade will be based upon where your total falls in the scale:
A 900 or more points
(90.0% or more of the possible points)
B 800 to 899 points (80.0% to 89.9% of the possible points)
C 650 to 799 points (65.0% to 79.9% of the possible points)
D 550 to 649 points (55.0% to 64.9% of the possible points)
F less than 550 points (less than 55.0%)
Please note
that grades in this course are based entirely upon performance. There
will be no deviation from the above scale and no other criteria will be used in
assigning grades. If you should achieve a point total that is only one or two
points away from the next higher grade, you can take pride in your accomplishment,
but you will still be given the grade which your number of points dictates.
Purity of heart, goodness of intention, strenuousness of effort, ability to cry
on cue, and other virtues are not part of the grade in this course. Do not expect
them to be considered in determining your course grade, and do not ask for exceptions
to the above standards. Your desire to achieve a good grade should be manifested
as effort during the term rather than as pleading after the final has been taken.
No whiny babies, please.
This is a schedule of what
you should read (and try to understand) by the dates listed below. Any changes
in the schedule will be announced in class. Generally, you will find yourself
reading AHEAD of our class discussion. The purpose of class meetings is to clarify,
rather than present, material. You may want to write down any questions the
reading raises in your mind so we may discuss them in class.
|
DATE |
PAGES | DATE | PAGES | DATE | PAGES |
| Jan 24 | 1-22 | Feb 26 | 229-254, 271-272 | Apr 9 | 373-393 |
| Jan 29 | 23-42 | Mar 5 | 281-306 | Apr 16 | 394-423 |
| Feb 5 | 43-65 | Mar 19 | 307-341 | Apr 30 | 424-455 |
| Feb 12 | 66-74, 80-94, 516-521 | Mar 26 | 342-372 | May 7 | 424-494, 500-512 |
| Feb 21 | 203-228 |
Please note that there is
no guarantee that we will discuss all of the material in the above pages in
class. However, you are still responsible for reading those pages and practicing
the "Study Guide" questions for the material listed in the tentative
schedule.
Highlights
As you examine the syllabus, you will notice some specific policies that are
important to remember:
•you really probably ought to read the syllabus;
•attendance in class and at the quizzes will affect your grade;
•keeping up on the reading assignments will help your grade;
•being prepared and present in class will count for 10% of your grade (through
pop quizzes);
•there will be 12 multiple choice quizzes, one each Friday;
•there will be no make-up quizzes;
•only the best ten quizzes will count towards your final grade
•there will be three writing assignment;
•extra credit will be available only through class participation and in-class
work;
•the final will count for at least 25% of your grade;
•if you do well on the final, it will count for your entire course grade;
•your exact point total (or score on the final) will determine your grade;
•having a point total just one point below the number of points required
for a specific grade will not get you that grade, no matter how much you want
or need it;
•no one will get special treatment or a grade higher than that actually
earned in the class;
•grades are assigned according to a fixed scale
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